The Responsibility Of A Physician

A physician, just like the healers of the past, are concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments. Similarities still exist in that the medical practice properly requires both a detailed knowledge of the academic science based disciplines underlying diseases and their treatment – the science of medicine – and also a decent competence in its applied practice – the art or craft of medicine.

For Medical School a. Students need to take anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, pathophysiology, and pathology. c. One must obtain a medical degree B. Required formal training 1. Next, a physician must do a year of internship a. Practicing general medicine or surgery b. One must obtain a final medical licensing examination 2.

In addition, teaching is a significant part of any doctor’s life. As physicians, we are constantly educating not only our patients and their families, but also other physicians, residents and medical students. A physician may know all the medical information in the world, but the care of a patient is primarily predicated on that physician’s ability to successfully

For the longest time, the medical field has grown as a part of me. I have been inspired to become a physician since my dad has been a long time patient of type II diabetes and kidney failure. This affected me because as a little girl, I would watch after his health by monitoring what he eats, giving him his insulin shots, and making sure he stays actively up on his feet. My father was the first to detect my natural interest in medicine and taking care of others, so he always kept me involved. What started off as projects in science fairs, turned into knowledge seeking state-wide competitions. My hobby of taking care of other people became a two hour volunteering shift at my high school nurses office. I started attending summer camps that were competitive to get into, and now my major in college is what I will use to get me where I need to be. Although I want to be an Emergency Room Physician, the general ‘doctor guideline’ includes but isn’t limited to common courses in the Bachelor of Sciences (i.e; Chemistry, Biological sciences, Physics, Human genetics). 4-year undergraduate degree program, an addition four years in medical school and a variation of 2-7 years in residency and fellowship (usually split 4:3 years or less)— this varies depending on specialization. Before the admissions of medical school, the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) must be taken and a high score must be achieved.

For as long as I could remember, I have seen my father rushing to the hospital in a white coat, answering pagers in the middle of important family conversations and attending night calls even in the most terrible weather. I had always wondered; what could be so important that it belittles every other responsibility in his life. It was only after many years of anguish and protests that it finally made sense to me. This defining moment of realization occurred when I first met a patient in his office. I saw how the gratitude in the patient’s eyes can provide a sense of fulfillment that triumphs all other feelings in the universe. It was human life that was most important. Being a doctor does not make you a mere healer but also gives you the responsibility of a caregiver. I had never felt more proud of my father and that was the day I felt the urge to relive this feeling many times over. It was there in that moment that I decided to pursue a career in medicine.

In college, a student must study courses to prepare for medicine, such as biology, chemistry, and some advanced mathematics (“Becoming A Doctor” 1). The first four years, the student would take pre-medical courses while earning their Bachelor’s degree and taking courses that are required for their degree plan. Then the college graduate will advance into medical school, where for four years the student learns about the area of medicine they choose (“Becoming A Doctor” 1). It generally takes seven to eight years to finish a medical doctor’s education (“Becoming A Doctor” 1). After medical school, the graduate will apply for an internship that would last about one year. Then after the internship, they become a resident and practice medicine under the supervision of a senior doctor (“Becoming A Doctor” 1). Altogether, it is about 11 years before one actually becomes an independent doctor (“Becoming A Doctor”

These questions would be easier to answer if physicians were not citizens of any state, but only healers and nothing more. But this sentiment is naïve and only feasible in an idealistic world. However, we don’t live in a perfect world, instead we live in a world confined by borders, marred by terrorism and imbued with nationalism and statist

- When you think of a doctor, what comes to mind? Someone who does everything in their power to save lives might be one of the thoughts. But what if the patients’ of these doctors death is incurable, and no medical involvement can change that fact, than what becomes the role of a doctor?

It was dark and there were so many noises around me as I slowly woke up and recalled I was in a hospital with abdominal pain. I then heard a familiar voice say “Sweetie, wake up! Wake up!” I opened my eyes to a blurry image of my mother. “Shhh… don't make any noises. We're leaving now. Just act like you are fine. We'll try to sneak out before anyone notices”, my mother said. She explained later that she could not afford to pay hospital bills, so we had to leave before any physician checked over. Living in Vietnam, I was filled with resentment towards their healthcare system, as people were rejected treatment and left to perish in the streets. As a child, I therefore never considered medicine as a career. My spark for medicine was unforeseen until I went on a high school field trip at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. Hovering over the glass ceiling of the operating theater, I watched doctors performing coronary bypass surgery while witnessing the heart beat stronger and stronger. At this magical moment, I was overwhelmed by the power of medicine to save people’s lives.

Samuel Hahnemann once said “The physician's highest calling, his only calling, is to make sick people healthy to heal, as it is termed.” Over multiple years of being posed the question “What do you want to be when you grow up? I have come to the conclusion that I want to become a physician or at least I think I do. Who wouldn’t want to help save lives? As a physician, I am presented with the opportunity to help better communities all around the world for the rest of my life. I always wanted to try to make a difference that people would appreciate. As I researched this profession, I discovered that because of physicians and their ability to use medical science, the life expectancy in the United States has more than doubled between 1990-2013

Nowadays, America’s citizens take simple trips to the doctor for granted. Everyday, millions are treated by doctors for broken bones, sickness, cancer, etc. However, we may not have enough doctors to keep up with the demand. Many people whom have gone through medical school and/or medical classes in college would rather become nurses and doctor’s assistants than become professional physicians or specialists. This poses a major problem for the United States since there is an expected rise in demand for doctors in coming years. This research paper will explain the history, causes, long term, short term, and tried/potential solution to the nation’s shortage of doctors.

Physicians are essential in the medical field, able to take care of you and make sure that you’re healthy is what makes them vital.

Traditionally, the physician was expected to use all of their talents and training in an effort to save the life of their patient, no matter the odds. More recently, the physician’s role has been redefined to preserve the autonomy of the patient. Now physicians must give life saving care only in so far and to the degree desirous of the competent patient.

The physician–patient relationship is the quintessential fiduciary relationship because of the vast disparity in knowledge about disease and treatment between the clinician and the typical lay patient. The consequence of this disparity is that the physician has a moral (and ultimately a legal) responsibility to utilize that manifestly superior knowledge exclusively for the benefit of the patient. (Rich, 2005, p. 393)

The medical occupation such as doctor or physician assistance (PA) is a respectable career, but certainly not an easy job. It is a pressure cooker dealing with difficult patients’ demands, filling out mundane paperwork, and making numerous phone calls to the insurance company. Additionally, they must maintain the patient quota and satisfaction scores mandated by the workplace as well as adhere to the ever-changing, complex healthcare law and regulations. However, these adversities do not deter me from my aspiration to become a PA. I want to belong to a team of talented, selfless, and dedicated people that fight for patient’s lives on a daily basis. I long to have the opportunity to spend quality time with my patients and ease their concerns. Helping people getting better and the community getting healthier is my ultimate goal for becoming a PA.